AmnesiaAmnesia, the partial or complete loss of memory, is most commonly temporary, lasting only a short period of experience. There are both organic and psychological causes for amnesia. Some organic causes include inflammation of the brain, head trauma, or stroke. This type of memory loss occurs suddenly and can last a long time. The person may be able to remember events from the distant past but not from yesterday or today. If amnesia is caused by alcohol abuse, it is a progressive disorder and neurological problems such as uncoordinated movements and loss of sensation in the fingers and toes are usually present. Once these problems occur, it may be too late to stop drinking. In contrast, psychologically based amnesia is almost always temporary. This type of memory loss can be triggered by a traumatic event that the mind cannot deal with. Usually, the memory returns slowly or suddenly a few days later, although it is possible that not all of the trauma is recalled. Only rarely does a person lose memory of larger portions of their life. The brain stores different types of information in different places. Short-term memory involves remembering details that were cataloged seconds or minutes ago. Examples include reciting a phone number, recognizing a new face, or repeating a list of three objects seen 2 or 3 minutes earlier. For this to happen, distinct areas deep in the brain need to function properly. For short-term memory to convert to long-term memory, other permanent changes must occur in brain cells. This is similar to creating a permanent file or record. Other parts of the brain perform this storage function. Occasional memory lapses or forgetfulness are common. These can be associated with depression, stress, lack of... middle of paper... fugue amnesia): covers episodes of amnesia linked to psychological trauma. It is usually temporary and can be triggered by a traumatic event that the mind has difficulty dealing with. Usually, memory returns slowly or suddenly a few days later, although memory of the trauma may remain incomplete. Treatment varies depending on the type of amnesia and the suspected cause. Usually the best cure for most cases is rest and time. Bibliography: Baddeley, A. (1983) Your Memory; a user's guideLondon: PenguinCampbell, R. & Conway, MA (1995)Broken Memories: Case Studies in Memory ImpairmentOxford: BlackwellRose, S. (1983)The Making of MemoryLondon: Transworld PublishersNew World book Encyclopedia Volume Ahttp://cbshealthwatch .medscape. com/medscape/p/gcommunity/ghome.asphttp://www.ntu.ac.uk/soc/bscpsych/memory/links.htm